Chapter 51: Handing Over the Task

For Li Qing and the other two.

Internal changes within the sect were matters of extreme importance to outer disciples like them. To some extent, these shifts could even influence the future path of their cultivation.

"I am merely repeating what I have heard!"

"I heard that the spirit mines guarded on Huangyu Island were attacked by many unknown cultivators. The cultivators within the mines have been holding their ground by relying on the great formation inside the mine..."

"After that, I heard that a Golden Core cultivator personally intervened to repel the enemy. I do not know anything beyond that."

After the blue-robed cultivator finished speaking, he stole a glance at Li Qing and the other two.

Li Qing said nothing and returned to his seat, sitting down quietly.

The man likely wasn't lying to them; after all, he was only at the early stage of Qi Refinement and probably didn't know much. However, the man's words brought him an inexplicable sense of crisis.

To dare to actively attack a spirit mine here at Qianyu Island, and even to have a Golden Core cultivator intervene in the end—it seemed this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Li Qing was merely a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator. Once the sect began to undergo upheaval, low-level cultivators like him would be in grave danger.

Struggles between sects were never as simple as they looked. They often meant that countless cultivators would lose their lives because of them.

At that moment, Li Qing made a firm decision: after completing this mission, he would first secure a duty assignment. Then, after obtaining the Golden Scale Fruit from the auction, he would begin bitter cultivation.

He would not show his face easily until he reached the late stage of Qi Refinement. Only by increasing his strength first could he improve his chances of survival amidst the sect's turmoil.

A gentle sea breeze stirred the calm surface of the ocean.

The tree desires to be still, but the wind will not cease.

In the afternoon, the spirit boat arrived at the Huangyu Island pier.

The entrance to the Huangyu Island spirit mine cave was located at a single pier. Most of the people here were disciples of the Qianshui Spirit Control Sect. A city had been built near the spirit mine cave, serving as a place for disciples to cultivate in seclusion and trade resources. The main base for the sect's disciples lay behind the city.

Li Qing led the other two directly toward the spirit mine cave. As they approached, two figures immediately emerged from within.

"Who goes there?" a loud shout rang out from one of the men.

The two mid-stage Qi Refinement outer disciples who stepped out looked at the trio with wary expressions.

"I am Li Qing. I am here by order of the sect to hand over our mission report," Li Qing replied, raising his hand in a respectful salute.

"I am Sang Haizai," "I am Su Suo," "The two of us have completed our duty assignment and are returning to the sect," the two beside Li Qing added in unison.

"Please present your identity tokens first."

Even after the trio spoke, the two men who had emerged did not relax their guard. After the three presented their tokens and they were verified one by one, they were allowed to enter.

Once inside the spirit mine area, the three split up. The other two needed to report to a different location.

Li Qing continued forward, arriving at a place where several palaces were situated. This was the designated waiting area for those responsible for handing over spirit mine resources. Upon arrival, he found that four or five sect disciples were already waiting there. He glanced at them and recognized them as several people who had been on the same mission earlier.

Li Qing did not know them and found a spot to stand to the side.

Half an hour later, another three or four people approached. Among them, Li Qing spotted a familiar figure—it was Mu Qing, whom he had chatted with briefly before. Her green Daoist robes could not hide her graceful figure as she walked slowly toward the palaces. However, the beauty seemed to be in low spirits; upon seeing Li Qing and a few other acquaintances, she merely gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

At the same time, a swift streak of light appeared in the distance. As the light dissipated, a young cultivator was revealed—it was Ling Jie, the person in charge from before.

"All personnel assigned to the external spirit mine collection mission have now arrived!"

"Junior brothers, follow me."

After speaking, Ling Jie turned and walked toward a grand hall known as the Mission Hall.

On the other side, Li Qing felt a jolt of surprise and silently followed. For a moment, he was dazed. There were only seven or eight people here now, which was nearly half the number of people who had arrived previously. Yet, Senior Brother Ling Jie had said they were all present.

This undoubtedly proved that most of the missing personnel had likely perished.

Li Qing observed closely. Among the seven or eight people, including himself, only one was at the late stage of Qi Refinement. None of the other late-stage Qi Refinement outer disciples had appeared.

Following Ling Jie's footsteps, the group entered the grand hall.

"Senior Sister Ziling, all personnel from the external missions have gathered!" Ling Jie announced to the interior.

A stunningly beautiful figure emerged from within. Like the other disciples, Li Qing lowered his head slightly, not daring to look directly at her.

"Junior brothers, some things occurred during this mission," Ziling said. "Everyone should simply report their mission collection status based on their own circumstances. If there are any special matters, you may tell Ling Jie; he will record them. All information recorded will be investigated by the sect!"

After speaking, Ziling glanced at the people below, a flash of sadness crossing her heart.

The losses this time were immense. Not to mention the casualties among the disciples guarding the spirit mine, half of the disciples she had personally led had perished. Even the genius disciple of the inner sect, Junior Brother Jue Hen, had fallen here.

Regarding Jue Hen, the sect had concluded that he died in an enemy ambush. The main issue was that when Jue Hen left, he had not told anyone his itinerary, making the sect's investigation exceptionally difficult. Moreover, there were more pressing matters at hand; compared to those, Jue Hen's death seemed less prominent.

Within the entire sect, several Golden Core elders were heavily injured. With a great upheaval looming, the sect had no leisure to dwell on Jue Hen's matter.

After speaking, Ziling rose and left. The remaining handover arrangements were left to Ling Jie.

"Junior brothers, please come to the rear hall in order once I call your name to hand over your missions!"

Watching Ling Jie walk toward the rear hall, Li Qing and the others continued to wait.

"Junior Brother Qian Jiong."

The only late-stage Qi Refinement outer disciple in the hall walked in.

"..."

"Junior Sister Mu Qing."

Hearing her name, Mu Qing followed.

Finally, after the fifth person was called, Li Qing's name was announced. Li Qing stood up and walked toward the back.

"Senior Brother Ling Jie, I am responsible for the collection of Warm Jade from the Baiyu Island spirit mine."

"A total of eight thousand nine hundred pounds were mined during this trip!"

After speaking, Li Qing handed over a jade slip containing the detailed records of the mining operation.

"Good, I have noted it," Ling Jie said, letting out a soft sigh before looking at Li Qing and continuing, "According to the news from Baiyu Island, it is said that Junior Brother Jiao Yujian died in an ambush by men in black?"

(End of Chapter)